"Indian chess is very young, with
good tradition"  Thus spoke the young Russian GM Andrey
Shariyazdanov (born July 12,1976) on his informal chat with COL's Chathurangam
correspondent R R Vasudevan, on 11-04-2000, well on way to his Category
10 Chalapathi Grandmasters title at Guntur. Inside the cool ambience of his hotel room
Shariyazdanov talked at length, still fresh from his exciting win over Indian GM Dibyendu
Barua earlier in the day.
COL: Which part of Russia
do you hail from ?
Andrei : Ekaterinberg, where Ulibin, Rashkovsky and Lyssenko also belong
to.
COL: Please tell us about yourself.
Andrei : I started playing at the age of ten. My major break was winning
the European Junior Championship in 1996. It gave me my first GM Norm and I got the next
one in the Russian Championship won by GM Khalifman.
COL: On
deciding to turn professional?
Andrei : I became a Grandmaster in 1997 and turned
professional in 1998.
COL: Who's your favourite
player?
Andrei : Former World Champion Alexander Alekhine. His games and
works had a big influence on my chess. And also his style which made a great impact on me.
COL: Whom do you prepare
with?
Andrei : Sometimes with Rashkovsky, mostly with Lyssenko.
COL: About your coach
Alexander Lyssenko?
Andrei : It's not easy to describe. He writes articles for Soviet chess
magazines and he was also with the Polugaevsky School of Chess as a top coach. But
for Lyssenko I may not be what I am right now.
COL: About Psychology and
preparation in chess?
Andrei : Half of chess is psychology. Every small thing is important for
preparation. Physical conditioning is equally vital. I also take the advice from
experienced players.
COL: On physical
training?
Andrei : I love being with nature, amidst hills and lakes.
COL: On your encounters
with top Grandmasters?
 Andrei
: I played a six game match with GM Peter Svidler as a junior. Svidler won
3.5-2.5, but I missed a chance to win the match.
COL: With a Elo Rating
2600 plus where do you focus your sights?
Andrei : I like to struggle, work hard and see how far this takes me. And
I want to test my wares to the utmost.
Q: About your chess?
Andrei : Feel I should improve my opening and middle games. I like to see
new games, under my opening repertoire and keep working.
COL: About being a chess
player?
Andrei : I've spent major part of my life playing chess, and am
comfortable continuing the same.
COL: Who is a complete
chess player to you? 
Andrei : It's hard to define and judge. It sort of requires discipline,
preparation, rather everything to become a complete chess player.
COL: Would you like to be
a chess player, if born again?
Andrei : Not easy to say.
COL: Have you been to
Pioneer Palace in Moscow?
Andrei : I've been only to Polugaevsky's School of Chess near Moscow.
COL: Between chess in the
past Soviet Union and present Russia?
Andrei : In Soviet Union the support for chess was excellent. But now things are
very difficult and sometimes it depends on the player also.
COL: How is it, being a
chess player in Russia?
Andrei : Right now, chess is a little low.
COL: On Indian Chess?
Andrei : Indian chess is very young, with good tradition. I can see more
Grandmasters coming and playing in India and sharing their experiences.
COL: About playing in
India?
Andrei : It's pleasant playing in India. It's not big money, but I look forward
to playing in India in future.
COL: What are your
immediate tournaments?
Andrei : Dubai Open and then tournaments in Croatia and Biel.
COL: Good luck and hope
to see you more in India!
Andrei : Thank you.
Our sincere thanks to
Mrs. Anneta Ibragimov who acted as Interpreter. |
